Releasing means for nut locks



Dec. 13, 1927.

W. T. BURKHALTER RELEASING MEANS FORINUT LOCKS Filed Sept. 27, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNEY Dec. 13, 1927.

W. BURKHALTER RELEASING MEANS FOR NUT LOCKS IN V EN TOR. h/ZBur/{ha/ter BY 5 mm ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 13, 1927.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM THOMAS BURKHALTER, 0F REIDSVILLE, GEORGIA.

RELEASING MEANS FOR NUT LOCKS.

Application. filed September 27, 1926. Serial No. 138,038.

This invention relates to a releasing means for a novel nut-lock particularly adapted for use in joining the ends of railway rails. It has for its object the provision of releasing means combined with the peculiar construction of the lock for releasing the nut.

The invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a joint for railway rails embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the nut.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one form of the washer.

Figs. t and 5 show another form of the washer.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of thebolt and the nut locked thereon, the rails and fish plates being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the members of the lock-releasing means.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the under side of the same.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another member of the lock releasing means. 7

Fig. 10 is a side elevation showing the lock-releasing means mounted on the nut.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line' 11-11 of Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1, 1 designate the abutting ends of two rails with a fish-plate 2 overlapping the rail ends in the usual manner. Passing through the web of each rail and the overlapping end of the fish-plate is the bolt 3 on the threaded end of which is turned the nut 4. Between each nut and the fish-plate is the washer 5 of spring metal. In the preferred form, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the two washers are connected by an intermediate part 6. ith the two washers so connected they will be prevented from turning on their bolts when the washer members are secured in place. In some instances it might be an advantage to provide each washer with an individual means for preventing it from turning on the bolt. Such a means is embodied in the washer shown in Fig. 5. In their striticture, the washer 71's provided the bolt the pawl 9 rides the cams forming the rear parts of the ratchet teeth and by its, resiliency tends to spring into engagement with the face 11 of each ratchet tooth as it passes the edge of the pawl. When the nut is seated, it is locked in place by the pawl engaging one of the ratchet teeth.

Means are provided for disengaging the pawl 9 from the ratchet teeth when it is desired to remote the nut from the bolt. EX- tending through the nut at each corner thereof s an opening 12 in parallel relation to the ax s of the nut. The inner end of each opening registers with the depression in front of each ratchet tooth, as shown in Fig. 2. When the pawl is in engagement with a ratchet tooth, it is seated over the opening 12 registering with the depression immediately in front of that particular tooth. By forcing a pin 13, such as is shown in Fig. 2, through the opening to impinge on the pawl, the latter can be forced clear of the tooth so that the nut can be'turned off the bolt.

An unlocking means is provided that is particularly adapted to remove the nut. A handle 14 is provided with a head 15 having opposing jaws 16 spaced apart and of such length as to fit the nut. On one side of the head is secured a plate 17 extending part way over the jaws. and recessed at its forward part between the jaws, as at 18, to form a flange 19 between the jaws. In this flange are openings 20 extending through the same to register with two of the openings 12 in the nut when the latter is in engagement with the jaws 16. With the jaws in position on the nut, one of the openings 20 will register with one of the openings 12 in the nut that is opposite to the pawl that is to be displaced. Into these registering openings opposite the pawl the pin 13 is pushed until it impinges on the pawl. The pin fits the alined openings somewhat loosely so that it can be pushed therein by the fingers with a slightly curved end 24, which is in s'erted in the block with the curved part bearing on the protruding end of the p1n'13. By bearing on the outer end of the lever 23 the pin is forced against the pawl 9 and the latter is displaced from engagement with the tooth 10 of the nut. WVhen this is done, by turning the handle 1 1 the nut can be backed 01f the bolt. Should the pawl engage one of the other ratchet teeth 10 before they turn clear of the pawl, the releasing device can be shifted so that one of the openings EZO' registers with the opening 12 that happens to be opposite the pawl and the pin 13 can be again used to displace the pawl from the engaged tooth 10 Ordinarily, the release of one tooth would be sutiicient to clear the nut from the pawl, for a quarter turn of the nut would back it 01f the bolt far enough for the next tooth to pass beneath the pawl.

WVhat I claim is:

1. A device for releasing a nut having pin holes therethrough and held by a stationary washer, said device comprising a head, a handle therefonsaid head having jaws to engage the nut, a pin operative through the pin holes in the nut, said head also having 17 over one of the jaws 16 is a socket, a lever engageable at one end in the socket and operative to bear against the outer end of the pin to force the same against the washer to disengage it from the nut to release the nut.

2. A device for releasing a nut with abrupt shoulders troin a stationarily held washer cooperating with the shoulders for holding the nut, the nut having pin holes therethrough, said releasing device comprising a handle provided with a head having jaws to engage thenut, said head having a transverse hole to register with the pin holes in the nut, a pin passing through said hole the head also havin a socket, a lever engaging at one end in the socket and operative to bear against the outer end of the pin to force the same against the washer to disengage it from the shoulder on the nut to release the nut.

3. A device for releasing a nut held stationary by a washer with pin holes through the nut, said devicecoinprising jaws to engage the nut, and also having transverse holes therethrough to register with the pin holes in the nut a pin adapted to pass through the holes, the device also having a socket and a lever engaging at one end in the socket and operative to bear against the outer end of the pin to force the same against the washer to disengage it from the nut to release the nut. p

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. WILLIAM THOMAS BURKHALTER. 

